Like China

 Like China

 

 

 

He talks to me of business
in the hurried moments

of a cellular conversation,
tells me without fail

how much he misses

the warmth of my body

against him

and how much I would love

the Nebraska snow.

 

My voice cracks at the mention
of sleeping alone,
with a northeast wind
that rattles the shutters at night
coercing me into

a fetal position.

I listen for the exhale of a sigh.

It is the tenor of his voice

that breaks me,
like china.

 

 

 

 

photography by / Ernesto Garcia Pena

 

 

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Absolutely beautiful poem and simile Kelly. Warm, tender, deeply moving. This just melted all the snow everywhere! Lovely language, flow, musicality. The sound, the timbre of that special voice- resonating across the miles...last verse so perfect. Loved this.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Picture is so radiant.xo

[Kelly Scheppers]

It is a lovely work of art, isn't it? Thank you, Annette. You always give me reason to smile!

[Igor Kalish]

It's just beautiful poem. Sound, rhythm, balance... Thank you, Kelly

[Kelly Scheppers]

The pleasure is mine. Thank you for your visit, Igor!

[Stella Armour]

long distance phone calls can never be as warm and loving as skin to skin contact, and replaying the conversation in your mind whilst sleep evades will break you and make you as fragile as china..

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wish you warm winds and a hand in friendship, Stella. Thank you so much. Good seeing you!

[Stella Armour]

Thank you Kelly ...

[Rye]

Oh Wow! I love that last stanza a lot, I can feel it break in the voice...
Such a longing in your words, so nicely written

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Ryanna!

[Pete]

fine 'China' that is. takes one's breath away. you've captured the delicate longing, fragility and vulnerability of love which transcends season, time and place. makes me take a step back and breathe a 'sigh' of serenity knowing of the connection with a loved one, even in their absence. beautiful. definitely to be handled with care. your words and images bring new depth of meaning to true, deep love or the throws of passion i should say ... :)

can feel that wind rattling the shutters but it matters not in amore ...

[Kelly Scheppers]

Even in the absence of someone we love, the connection remains. Good to see you, Pete...thank you!

[Will Neill]

Parole che conjour emozioni sono così evidenti come un primo bacio. mi è piaciuto molto Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Grazie mio caro amico!

[Richard🖌]

"My voice cracks at the mention
of sleeping alone,
with a northeast wind
that rattles the shutters at night
coercing me into
a fetal position."

How vulnerably alluring you are in these words, Kelly, and all the rest that cater to delight in their susceptible sweetness in this amazingly touching Free Verse piece … one of (if not the best) of all your pieces, and I say this hesitantly, because it seems every time I tout one of yours as your best, you come right back with one that makes me a liar.

We do so love that amazingly perfect picture of Garcia's, don't we?
It's perfect for your poem, but it's perfect, too, just because it is, and because you chose it … of course! ; )

Hugs! ⁓ Richard

[Kelly Scheppers]

I hope to always make you second guess yourself, my friend. What a thrill it is for me! Thank you, Richard. x

[Richard🖌]

No one makes my toe stir the sand like You do. 😌

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Thats the most fragile break- no words can replace the clear break - sometimes we arent breaking but reshaped...wonderful words🌹

[Kelly Scheppers]

...perhaps the most deepest. Thank you, Kelly!

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

Pleasure always- hope u are well🌹

[BlackPrince]

This is such a beautiful poem. It is perfectly depicted with coherent word choice making it a picturesque poem with amazing imagery:
'I listen for the exhale of a sigh.
It is the tenor of his voice
that breaks me.
Like China.'

'My voice cracks at the mention
of sleeping alone.'

well done!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am most proud to know it touched you so. Thank you!

[AllenS]

Yes, there is verbage and then there is tenor. Always listen to the tenor. Great poem,

[Kelly Scheppers]

...the tenor is the part that melts me, that breaks me...like china. Thank you most kindly, Allen.

[AllenS]

Yes, I agree. I always listen for tenor.